MedWorm provides a medical RSS filtering service. Over 6000 RSS medical sources are combined and output via different filters. This feed contains the latest medical blog items that have been tagged with 'health prevention'. Sat, 03 Sep 2011 02:25:11 +0100 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5159082&cid=t_203229_99_f&fid=35342&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblog.vcu.edu%2Fcbuttery%2F2011%2F08%2Fhealthy-behaviors-will-help-you-live-longer.html Researchers looked at long-term data from Americans aged 17 and older and found that those who embraced four healthy behaviors -- not smoking, eating a healthy diet, getting regular physical activity and avoiding excessive alcohol use -- were 63 percent less likely to die early from any cause than those with none of those healthy habits. Comment: one more piece of confirmatory data that are health relies more behaviors. The problem is that despite many repeated similar studies of population behaviors do not change. Instead of wasting money repeat the same old research. Why not develop methods to change population? If this is much not possible, which I suspect, perhaps we should stop funding ineffectual research. [http://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2011/p0818_living_longer.htm ] (Source: Dr.... Dr. Buttery's Public Health BLOG blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5159082 Fri, 19 Aug 2011 15:26:38 +0100 5159082 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5096251&cid=t_203229_99_f&fid=35342&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblog.vcu.edu%2Fcbuttery%2F2011%2F08%2Fhandwashing-in-elementary-schools.html This study showed that after pupils clean their hands with alcohol tissues three times a day that absence fears him and school from risk recovery and gastrointestinal infections decreased significantly. The cost of procedure is far less than the cost of absenteeism both to the schools and parents. It should read replicated the US and if reproducible made a policy. American Journal of Infection Control:  Volume 39, Issue 6, August 2011, Pages 450-455 (Source: Dr. Buttery's Public Health BLOG) Dr. Buttery's Public Health BLOG blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5096251 Thu, 04 Aug 2011 16:35:17 +0100 5096251 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5096252&cid=t_203229_99_f&fid=35342&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblog.vcu.edu%2Fcbuttery%2F2011%2F08%2Fwasted-research-funds.html According to a story on research in ScienceDaily today, “With Regular Exercise, People with Inactive Lifestyles More at Risk for Chronic Diseases”. I first read about research on this topic when the Alameda study on behavior among men was published in the 1960s. Similar research has been repeated hundreds of times in the intervening years yet the behaviors with which we are all familiar continue. It is high time that those who fund research stop funding issues that have been confirmed and either direct their funds for transitional research that shows that change in behavioral outcome is possible and effective. There have been many behavioral research studies that have shown the ability to change behavior for a few weeks, none that show long-term changes. It is high time to star... Dr. Buttery's Public Health BLOG blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5096252 Thu, 04 Aug 2011 16:16:56 +0100 5096252 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5008236&cid=t_203229_99_f&fid=35342&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblog.vcu.edu%2Fcbuttery%2F2011%2F07%2Fcdc-fears-rising-treatment-resistant-gonorrhea.html According to to the CDC: Neisseria gonorrhoeae is a major cause of pelvic inflammatory disease, ectopic pregnancy, and infertility, and it can facilitate human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) transmission (1). Emergence of gonococcal resistance to penicillin and tetracycline occurred during the 1970s and became widespread during the early 1980s. More recently, resistance to fluoroquinolones developed. Now Gonorrhea may be losing its susceptibility to cephalosporins, the only available antibiotic class remaining to treat the sexually transmitted infection, the CDC is warning. Comment: when I started medical school in 1947 the medical profession had just started using penicillin to treat gonorrhea and syphilis and mistakenly thought STIs were beaten. Just as with the use of contrace... Dr. Buttery's Public Health BLOG blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5008236 Fri, 08 Jul 2011 16:27:38 +0100 5008236 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5008237&cid=t_203229_99_f&fid=35342&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblog.vcu.edu%2Fcbuttery%2F2011%2F07%2Fhealthy-lifestyle-makes-women-less-likely-to-die-suddenly.html Medpage Today tells us that women who adhered to a healthy lifestyle had as much as a 90% reduction in the risk of sudden cardiac death (SCD) as compared with those with a high-risk profile, data from the Nurses’ Health Study (NHS) showed. The risk of SCD declined linearly as the number of these attributes increased, ranging from a 46% reduction for a woman who had one to 92% for those who had all four. Comment: these results are not surprising as the Alameda study showed more than 40 years ago where health behaviors were studied for some 11 conditions showing a significant increase in longevity for those who followed more than half of them. We have many studies that show that change in behavior can significantly improve health. The problem is we still don’t know how... Dr. Buttery's Public Health BLOG blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5008237 Wed, 06 Jul 2011 15:28:49 +0100 5008237 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4992723&cid=t_203229_99_f&fid=35342&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblog.vcu.edu%2Fcbuttery%2F2011%2F07%2Fdrug-side-effect-linked-with-increased-health-risks-for-over-65s-1.html More than 13,000 men and women aged 65 and over from across the UK were included in the two-year study from the University of East Anglia. Around half were found to use a medication with potential anticholinergic properties.In the study, each drug taken by the participants was given a ranking based on the strength of its anticholinergic activity, or AntiCholinergic Burden (ACB) - 0 for no effect, 1 for mild effect, 2 for moderate effect and 3 for severe effect.The key findings were:• Twenty per cent of participants taking drugs with a total ACB of four or more had died by the end of the two-year study, compared with only seven per cent of those taking no anticholinergic drugs - the first time a link between anticholinergics and mortality has been shown.• For every additional ACB point ... Dr. Buttery's Public Health BLOG blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4992723 Fri, 01 Jul 2011 19:56:41 +0100 4992723 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4992724&cid=t_203229_99_f&fid=35342&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblog.vcu.edu%2Fcbuttery%2F2011%2F07%2Ftext-messaging-in-smoking-cessation-the-txt2stop-trial.html From today's Lancet: As with many such trials, the continuous abstinence rate at 6 months in the intervention group, although statistically significant as compared with the control group, was low (10•7%). Data were also missing due to withdrawals and non-completion of self-reported smoking status. However, robust sensitivity analyses were done to account for these losses to follow-up with multiple imputation techniques based on important predictors of missingness, and also by assuming that individuals with missing self-reported smoking status were smokers. Finally, as the investigators acknowledge, to ascertain the mechanism by which the txt2stop intervention actually increased continuous abstinence is difficult. Nonetheless, the abstinence rates in the txt2stop intervention group are br... Dr. Buttery's Public Health BLOG blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4992724 Fri, 01 Jul 2011 19:55:18 +0100 4992724 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4992725&cid=t_203229_99_f&fid=35342&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblog.vcu.edu%2Fcbuttery%2F2011%2F07%2Flet-science-inform-policy.html An editorial in Science today, written by Dr, Anthony Fauci, discusses the value of preventive antiretroviral therapy for non-infected homosexual couples, the value of condoms for males and females and the value of circumcision to prevent the spread of H IV infection. Despite such evidence the City of San Francisco seeks to outlaw circumcision. As State Health Commissioner in the late 1980s I had to help out state legislature avoid testing premarital couples for HIV infection, Luckily the testimony of the scientists on the HIV Advisory committee was accepted by the legislators (Source: Dr. Buttery's Public Health BLOG) Dr. Buttery's Public Health BLOG blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4992725 Fri, 01 Jul 2011 19:53:45 +0100 4992725 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4934089&cid=t_203229_87_f&fid=36224&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.wsjonline.com%2F%7Er%2Fwsj%2Fhealth%2Ffeed%2F%7E3%2F4vWf8_Fzi24%2F The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, the advocacy arm of the ACS, says it knows the best three-pronged strategy for getting more people to quit smoking: increasing tobacco taxes, passing laws that ban smoking at bars, restaurants and in the workplace and funding state tobacco cessation and prevention programs. Two new reports from the group try to put some numbers on the potential impact of those first two prongs. Raising the tax on cigarettes by a buck a pack in every state and D.C. could get 1.4 million adults to quit, prevent nearly 1.7 million youths from starting, save 1.32 million lives and about $645 million in heart-disease, stroke- and lung cancer-related costs, and boost states’ revenues by a total of  $8.62 billion, says one of the reports. Those projections... WSJ.com: Health Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4934089 Wed, 15 Jun 2011 19:30:29 +0100 4934089 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4934074&cid=t_203229_87_f&fid=35747&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhealthaffairs.org%2Fblog%2F2011%2F06%2F14%2Fthe-decade-of-vaccines-promise-and-challenge%2F Vaccinating children around the world against infectious diseases has saved the lives of millions over the past several decades. Now new opportunities exist to overcome remaining challenges, according to articles in the June 2011 issue of Health Affairs, Strategies For The Global ‘Decade Of Vaccines, published June 9. The new Health Affairs volume explores the [...] (Source: Health Affairs Blog) Health Affairs Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4934074 Tue, 14 Jun 2011 19:31:17 +0100 4934074 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4921371&cid=t_203229_87_f&fid=35747&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhealthaffairs.org%2Fblog%2F2011%2F06%2F09%2Fin-new-health-affairs-measuring-the-benefits-of-boosting-childhood-vaccines%2F Two new studies published today in the June issue of Health Affairs project huge benefits from a major ramp-up of vaccine development and delivery over the next 10 years in 72 countries. The studies, both from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, find that boosting vaccine coverage could prevent the deaths of 6.4 million children, [...] (Source: Health Affairs Blog) Health Affairs Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4921371 Thu, 09 Jun 2011 11:12:44 +0100 4921371 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4911525&cid=t_203229_99_f&fid=35342&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblog.vcu.edu%2Fcbuttery%2F2011%2F06%2Flow-t-a-myth.html ScienceDaily - A decline in testosterone levels as men grow older is likely the result -- not the cause -- of deteriorating general health, say Australian scientists, whose new study finds that age, in itself, has no effect on testosterone level in healthy older men. The results were presented June 6 at The Endocrine Society's 93rd Annual Meeting in Boston. Some researchers believe that an age-related testosterone deficiency contributes to the deteriorating health of older men and causes nonspecific symptoms, such as tiredness and loss of libido”. Handelsman and his team, however, found that serum (blood) testosterone levels did not decline with increasing age in older men who reported being in excellent health with no symptoms to complain of. Comment: This is unlikely to affect the ... Dr. Buttery's Public Health BLOG blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4911525 Wed, 08 Jun 2011 18:28:50 +0100 4911525 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4911526&cid=t_203229_99_f&fid=35342&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblog.vcu.edu%2Fcbuttery%2F2011%2F06%2Fstudy-predicts-up-to-30-of-companies-will-stop-offering-health-insurance-1.html The National Journal (6/7, "The more a company knows about coming changes to the nation's health care laws, the more likely it is to consider radically restructuring the way it provides insurance to employees, according to a study by the consulting firm McKinsey and Co." In fact, "the study, which is being circulated among Republicans, predicts that as many as 30 percent of companies will stop offering health insurance benefits, reduce the level of benefits, or offer benefits only to certain employees." Should this prediction come to pass, "the number of Americans who could see changes to their health insurance would be far more than the 9 million to 10 million estimated by the Congressional Budget Office." Comment, All these companies are doing is asking government to solve their problems... Dr. Buttery's Public Health BLOG blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4911526 Wed, 08 Jun 2011 18:27:05 +0100 4911526 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4911439&cid=t_203229_87_f&fid=35747&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhealthaffairs.org%2Fblog%2F2011%2F06%2F08%2Fha-vaccine-briefing-tomorrow-available-live-on-web%2F Tomorrow, Thursday June 9, at 8:30 AM at the W Hotel in Washington DC, Health Affairs will hold a briefing in conjunction with the release of its June 2011 issue, “Strategies For The ’Decade of Vaccines.’” A complete line-up of speakers and other details are available here. If you want to attend the briefing, you can RSVP [...] (Source: Health Affairs Blog) Health Affairs Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4911439 Wed, 08 Jun 2011 15:17:12 +0100 4911439 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4847980&cid=t_203229_99_f&fid=35342&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblog.vcu.edu%2Fcbuttery%2F2011%2F05%2Fcdc-identifies-10-public-health-achievements-of-first-decade.html The 10 domestic public health achievements are published in today's issue of CDC's MMWR. “Americans are living longer, healthier, and more productive lives than ever before thanks in part to extraordinary achievements in public health over the past decade," said CDC Director Thomas R. Frieden, M.D., M.P.H. The United States has saved billions of dollars in healthcare costs as a result of these achievements. (Source: Dr. Buttery's Public Health BLOG) Dr. Buttery's Public Health BLOG blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4847980 Fri, 20 May 2011 15:52:41 +0100 4847980 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4828934&cid=t_203229_99_f&fid=35342&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblog.vcu.edu%2Fcbuttery%2F2011%2F05%2Fearly-treatment-with-antiretroviral-therapy-prevents-hiv-transmission.html A UNC-led research study showed the study, which spans nine countries, involved more than 1,700 couples, in which one partner was HIV-positive and the other was not. Each couple was randomly assigned to one of two study groups. In the first group, the partner with HIV began receiving antiretroviral drugs as soon as they enrolled in the study; in the second group, the infected partner started antiretroviral treatment once their CD4+ count — a key measure of immune system health — fell to between 200 and 250 cells/mm3.  However, data gathered so far clearly revealed the benefits of early treatment, prompting health officials to release the results now. (Source: Dr. Buttery's Public Health BLOG) Dr. Buttery's Public Health BLOG blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4828934 Sat, 14 May 2011 14:44:07 +0100 4828934 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4615141&cid=t_203229_99_f&fid=35342&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblog.vcu.edu%2Fcbuttery%2F2011%2F03%2Fchildren-with-a-medical-home-receive-better-health-care.html The "medical home" has been endorsed as a standard of primary care, in which patients have access to health care that is accessible, continuous, comprehensive, family-centered, coordinated, compassionate and culturally effective (Source: Dr. Buttery's Public Health BLOG) Dr. Buttery's Public Health BLOG blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4615141 Sun, 20 Mar 2011 16:23:29 +0100 4615141 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4615144&cid=t_203229_99_f&fid=35342&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblog.vcu.edu%2Fcbuttery%2F2011%2F03%2Fhigh-volume-portable-music-players-may-impair-ability-to-clearly-discriminate-sounds.html Listening to loud music through earphones for extended periods in noisy surroundings can cause neurophysiological changes related to clear discrimination of sounds, even if the hearing threshold is normal, new research shows. (Source: Dr. Buttery's Public Health BLOG) Dr. Buttery's Public Health BLOG blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4615144 Sun, 20 Mar 2011 16:16:53 +0100 4615144 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4570563&cid=t_203229_99_f&fid=35342&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblog.vcu.edu%2Fcbuttery%2F2011%2F03%2Fmany-with-borderline-hypertension-may-never-develop-life-threatening-problems.html The New York Times (3/9, Parker-Pope) "Well" blog reported, "Millions of people who have been told they are on the path to hypertension may never develop life-threatening problems," according to a study published in the Journal of General Internal Medicine. After reviewing 20 years' worth of blood pressure data on some 20,000 adults, researchers found that people with borderline hypertension, that is, blood pressure slightly above 120/80, "are not any more likely to die prematurely than those with lower blood pressures." The study's lead author stated, "If we intervene with these people who don't have a lot of risk, maybe we're going to cause more harm than benefit." Comment: it is important to keep re-examining our current beliefs about medical care as more and more evidence appears about... Dr. Buttery's Public Health BLOG blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4570563 Thu, 10 Mar 2011 16:36:25 +0100 4570563 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4570565&cid=t_203229_99_f&fid=35342&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblog.vcu.edu%2Fcbuttery%2F2011%2F03%2Fyoung-adults-with-chronic-illnesses-have-poorer-educational-vocational-and-financial-outcomes.html Most young adults who grow up with chronic illness graduate high school and have employment, but those with cancer, diabetes, or epilepsy are significantly less likely than their healthy peers to achieve important educational and vocational milestones, according to a report in the March issue of Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine. (Source: Dr. Buttery's Public Health BLOG) Dr. Buttery's Public Health BLOG blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4570565 Thu, 10 Mar 2011 16:29:22 +0100 4570565 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4330984&cid=t_203229_87_f&fid=35747&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhealthaffairs.org%2Fblog%2F2011%2F01%2F11%2Fsome-mental-health-lessons-from-the-tucson-tragedy%2F We may never know the motivations behind the horrific acts in Tucson and whether they could have been prevented. Mental illness, however, has been tentatively identified as a “suspect” in the shootings.   If we are to learn anything from this tragedy, we must look at mental health as a public health issue and give it [...] (Source: Health Affairs Blog) Health Affairs Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4330984 Tue, 11 Jan 2011 13:34:04 +0100 4330984 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4265791&cid=t_203229_99_f&fid=35342&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblog.vcu.edu%2Fcbuttery%2F2010%2F12%2Fe-cigs-less-dangerous.html ScienceDaily (Dec. 16) — In a new report that bucks the concerns raised by the Food and Drug Administration, a Boston University School of Public Health (BUSPH) researcher concludes that electronic cigarettes are much safer than real cigarettes and show promise in the fight against tobacco-related diseases and death. The review, which will be published online ahead of print this month in the Journal of Public Health Policy, is the first to comprehensively examine scientific evidence about the safety and effectiveness of electronic cigarettes, also known as e-cigarettes, said Michael Siegel, professor of community health sciences at BUSPH. “Taking these products off the market would force thousands of users to return to cigarette smoking," Siegel said. "Why would the FDA and the... Dr. Buttery's Public Health BLOG blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4265791 Fri, 17 Dec 2010 19:21:20 +0100 4265791 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4245275&cid=t_203229_87_f&fid=35747&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhealthaffairs.org%2Fblog%2F2010%2F12%2F09%2Fprevention-primary-care-effective-against-chronic-disease-around-globe%2F Worldwide disease prevention programs and greater use of primary care reduce deaths, rates of illness, and costs associated with chronic illness, according to several studies in the December issue of the journal Health Affairs.  The articles offer hope for the success of similar interventions from rural China to urban Chile, where the growth of chronic diseases [...] (Source: Health Affairs Blog) Health Affairs Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4245275 Thu, 09 Dec 2010 19:37:23 +0100 4245275 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4086288&cid=t_203229_99_f&fid=35342&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblog.vcu.edu%2Fcbuttery%2F2010%2F10%2Fgrowth-in-us-life-expectancy-continues-to-fall-behind-that-of-other-countries.html This study provides stark evidence that the U.S. health care system has been failing Americans for years,” said Commonwealth Fund President Karen Davis. “It is unacceptable that the U.S. obtains so much less than should be expected from its unusually high spending on health care relative to other countries.” Comment: hopefully, as the new Health Care Legislation develops, with an emphasis on enhanced primary care and preventive interventions we will finally have a coordinated health care system that produces as good population outcomes in those found in most other developed countries.  We need place more emphasis on population outcomes than on individual specialty technology. (Source: Dr. Buttery's Public Health BLOG) Dr. Buttery's Public Health BLOG blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4086288 Wed, 20 Oct 2010 15:37:53 +0100 4086288 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4036672&cid=t_203229_99_f&fid=35342&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblog.vcu.edu%2Fcbuttery%2F2010%2F10%2Feffectiveness-of-condoms-in-thailand-on-ted.html Well worth watching. Why can’t we be as effective in the USA http://www.ted.com/talks/mechai_viravaidya_how_mr_condom_made_thailand_a_better_place.html   (Source: Dr. Buttery's Public Health BLOG) Dr. Buttery's Public Health BLOG blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4036672 Wed, 06 Oct 2010 15:57:33 +0100 4036672 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3902918&cid=t_203229_99_f&fid=35342&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblog.vcu.edu%2Fcbuttery%2F2010%2F08%2Fmenu-labeling-provisions-of-section-4205-of-the-patient-protection-and-affordable-care-act-of-2010.html For chain retail food establishments, the provisions that became requirements immediately upon enactment of the law include: (1) Disclosing the number of calories in each standard menu item on menus and menu boards, (2) Making additional written nutrition information available to consumers upon request, (3) Providing a statement on menus and menu boards about the availability of the additional nutrition information, and (4) Providing calorie information (per serving or per food item) for most self-service items and food on display, on a sign adjacent to each food item.   Who would have thought that the recently passed health care program would include instructions for restaurants on the content of their menus? There's probably little doubt that providing calorie values will be helpful... Dr. Buttery's Public Health BLOG blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3902918 Wed, 25 Aug 2010 16:14:29 +0100 3902918 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3714213&cid=t_203229_99_f&fid=35342&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblog.vcu.edu%2Fcbuttery%2F2010%2F06%2Ffindings-make-early-parental-action-with-daughters-even-more-critical.html Survey data released today by the Partnership for a Drug-Free America® and MetLife Foundation found that teenage girls are more likely than teenage boys to perceive potential benefits from drug use and drinking, making teen girls more vulnerable to drug and alcohol abuse.  “Parents of teen girls have to be especially attentive to their daughters’ moods and mental health needs, which can have a direct effect on their child’s decision to risk her health by getting high and drinking,” said Partnership President and CEO Steve Pasierb. (Source: Dr. Buttery's Public Health BLOG) Dr. Buttery's Public Health BLOG blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3714213 Wed, 30 Jun 2010 18:02:44 +0100 3714213 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3714214&cid=t_203229_99_f&fid=35342&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblog.vcu.edu%2Fcbuttery%2F2010%2F06%2Ff-as-in-fat-how-obesity-threatens-americas-future-2010.html Trust for America’s health has a new report n the increasing epidemic of obesity in the US, that is worth visiting, the graphics of the statewide differences between adult and juvenile obesity is fascinating. Adult obesity rates increased in 28 states in the past year, and declined only in the District of Columbia (D.C.), according to F as in Fat: How Obesity Threatens America's Future 2010, a report from the Trust for America's Health (TFAH) and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF). More than two-thirds of states (38) have adult obesity rates above 25 percent. In 1991, no state had an obesity rate above 20 percent. The report also includes obesity rates among youths ages 10-17, and the results of a new poll on childhood obesity conducted by Greenberg Quinlan Rosner Re... Dr. Buttery's Public Health BLOG blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3714214 Wed, 30 Jun 2010 17:58:37 +0100 3714214 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3706698&cid=t_203229_99_f&fid=35342&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblog.vcu.edu%2Fcbuttery%2F2010%2F06%2Fimplications-for-framing-health-disparities.html A new report from the IOM released today, Health Disparities, sometimes relate to personal choice but also occur as a result of variations in income, language proficiency, health insurance status, culture, neighborhood features, and many other factors. However, the public, media, and policymakers often see these gaps as a result of individual choice alone. Therefore, public health officials can face difficulties in drawing attention to health disparities or gaining funding for programs to reduce health disparities. Public health officials are searching for ways to encourage people to see reducing health disparities as a matter of social, rather than personal, responsibility. (Source: Dr. Buttery's Public Health BLOG) Dr. Buttery's Public Health BLOG blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3706698 Mon, 28 Jun 2010 16:31:17 +0100 3706698 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3581578&cid=t_203229_87_f&fid=35747&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhealthaffairs.org%2Fblog%2F2010%2F05%2F19%2Fthe-hivaids-pandemic-a-looming-funding-crisis%2F Despite unprecedented growth in available resources, the world is facing both short- and long-run financial crises in combating the international HIV/AIDS pandemic. That message emerges strongly from a cluster of articles in the November/December 2009 issue of Health Affairs funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. HIV funding shortfalls and their potential lethal consequences have received heightened attention of late, notably in a powerful set of articles published recently by Donald McNeil of the New York Times. As Health Affairs noted in one of several policy briefs summarizing findings and recommendations from the November/December issue, over the past six years the world has pumped nearly $52 billion into fighting the pandemic, making it possible for more than 4 million inf... Health Affairs Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3581578 Wed, 19 May 2010 22:17:13 +0100 3581578 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3432908&cid=t_203229_99_f&fid=35342&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblog.vcu.edu%2Fcbuttery%2F2010%2F04%2Fassociation-of-socioeconomic-position-with-health-behaviors-and-mortality.html An article published in JAMA today [JAMA. 2010;303(12):1159-1166.] tells us again, what has been studied numerous times over the last 50 years, and repeats the same conclusion, that people with lower social status (Level 1 & 2 on the UK scale) consistently have less education and are more likely to show adverse health behaviors.  However, other than better education in school and home there is no cure for this simple conclusion. Another waste of research money. (Source: Dr. Buttery's Public Health BLOG) Dr. Buttery's Public Health BLOG blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3432908 Fri, 02 Apr 2010 15:59:43 +0100 3432908 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3302337&cid=t_203229_99_f&fid=35342&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblog.vcu.edu%2Fcbuttery%2F2010%2F02%2Ffront-of-package-food-labels-public-health-or-propaganda.html A Commentary in today’s JAMA is worth reading as it explains the numerous attempts by Congress and the FDA to restrict inappropriate advertising by food companies which are repeatedly knocked down the courts. The commentary could musty as well have been applied to drug company advertising and its often lethal  effects. The commentary clearly identifies the misleading practices of food companies who claim health advantages of their foods without any supporting evidence other than testimonies. (Source: Dr. Buttery's Public Health BLOG) Dr. Buttery's Public Health BLOG blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3302337 Wed, 24 Feb 2010 16:16:41 +0100 3302337 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3269700&cid=t_203229_99_f&fid=35342&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblog.vcu.edu%2Fcbuttery%2F2010%2F02%2Fsingle-dose-of-drug-cures-visceral-leishmaniasis.html From the Kaiser Foundation today we learn that a study has shown that a single infusion of Gilead Sciences' drug AmBisome, known generically as iposomal amphotericin B, cured nearly all patients with visceral leishmaniasis, or kala-azar, a parasitic infection, Reuters reports. Spread by the sand fly and affecting 500,000 people a year, visceral leishmaniasis is found in Asia, Africa, and parts of Europe, but is concentrated in India, according to the news service.  Comment: We tend to forget that there are many vector borne diseases outside trh US that need treating and preventing.. (Source: Dr. Buttery's Public Health BLOG) Dr. Buttery's Public Health BLOG blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3269700 Fri, 12 Feb 2010 17:59:07 +0100 3269700 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3153396&cid=t_203229_99_f&fid=35342&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblog.vcu.edu%2Fcbuttery%2F2010%2F01%2Fobesity-now-poses-as-great-a-threat-to-quality-of-life-as-smoking.html Using data from The 1993-2008 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS), the largest ongoing state-based health survey of US adults, has conducted interviews of more than 3,500,000 individuals; annual interviews started with 102,263 in 1993 and culminated with 406,749 in 2008. Investigators Haomiao Jia, PhD and Erica I. Lubetkin, MD, MPH, state, "Although life expectancy and QALE have increased over time, the increase in the contribution of mortality to QALYs lost from obesity may result in a decline in future life expectancy. Such data are essential in setting targets for reducing modifiable health risks and eliminating health disparities." The article will appear in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine, Volume 38, Issue 2 (February 2010) (Source: Dr. Buttery's Public Heal... Dr. Buttery's Public Health BLOG blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3153396 Thu, 07 Jan 2010 17:17:39 +0100 3153396 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3092658&cid=t_203229_87_f&fid=34872&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.blisstree.com%2Fhealthbolt%2Frepeat-sti-rate-in-urban-girls-almost-100%2F I know, we don’t want to think of our daughters, especially in their teens, as having sex. I also know that many of them do have sex. So, whether you’re ready to deal with it or not, here are a few numbers you should be aware of: Half of urban teenage girls may acquire at least one of three common sexually transmitted infections (STI) within two years of becoming sexually active. Ok, some might say. STIs can be treated. The rebuttal to that is: yes and no. Sure, some STIs can be successfully treated. But, there’s a big “but.” The STI has to be identified. The girl has to be willing to have it treated. The girl has to seek treatment. The girl has to be sure that she completes the treatment properly. The girl has to be sure that it has worked. Oh, and one more... Healthbolt blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3092658 Tue, 15 Dec 2009 18:00:16 +0100 3092658 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2553021&cid=t_203229_87_f&fid=34872&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.blisstree.com%2Fhealthbolt%2Fnyc-subways-hazardous-to-your-hearing%2F New York City and subways go together like bacon and eggs or coffee and donuts. But subways, like bacon and donuts,  aren’t necessarily good for you. Seems a new study that compared the numerous mass transits modes available in NYC has found that subways, with noise levels ranging between 80 and 102 decibels, were the loudest means of transport around. That’s not good. The EPA and WHO both recommend that in order to protect your hearing your daily average level of noise exposure should be no more than 70 decibels. To give you an idea of the level that is, normal conversation is between 60 and 70 decibels. The study’s results indicates that the estimated 33 million Americans who use the subways daily are consistently over exposing themselves to potentially deafening levels of noise. ... Healthbolt blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2553021 Mon, 29 Jun 2009 07:24:22 +0100 2553021 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2177585&cid=t_203229_99_f&fid=35344&url=http%3A%2F%2Fzackarysholemberger.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F02%2Fcan-health-care-act-as-economic.html I'm scholar Googling and can't find anything. I don't know what the Obama Administration's argument is supporting their inclusion of comparative effectiveness research in the stimulus bill. Obviously I think CER is great a priori, as are EHRs, but neither save money in the short run. Do they stimulate the economy? Beats me - not my field - but I suppose in the sense of creating jobs, sure. (Funding research supports researchers, who buy bread, gasoline, and electricity just like everyone else.)Note that this is separate from whether prevention and CER give good value for the dollar. Stephen Woolf claims unsurprisingly that they do, writing recently in JAMA. But the real point of his article is this: if you're going to ask whether prevention is worth the cost, you have to ask also whether (... Zackary Sholem Berger blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2177585 Tue, 10 Feb 2009 20:48:00 +0100 2177585 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2131367&cid=t_203229_99_f&fid=35344&url=http%3A%2F%2Fzackarysholemberger.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F01%2Fpence-of-prevention-is-worth-pound-of.html I wish Obama all the best, and I'm excited that health care reform is being contemplated as one of the first orders of business after the stimulus package is passed. Prevention is being touted as a big healthcare money saver.But prevention of what?1. Prostate cancer by PSA screening. (Whoops, early detection doesn't decrease mortality.)2. Breast cancer by self-exam. (Whoops, ditto. Mammograms work, though.)3. Colon cancer by colonoscopy. (Right-sided cancer might not be caught by colonoscopy.)4. Pneumonia by vaccination. (Whoops, maybe not - except in high-risk groups.)5. Heart disease in women by estrogen replacement therapy. (We know how that turned out.)6. Cancer by vitamin ingestion. (Whoops again.)So not only is prevention very unlikely to save significant healthcare money, but we hav... Zackary Sholem Berger blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2131367 Sun, 25 Jan 2009 05:04:00 +0100 2131367 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2017546&cid=t_203229_87_f&fid=34872&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.healthbolt.net%2F2008%2F12%2F05%2Fhealthbolt-giveaway-win-one-of-3-pedi-relax-sets%2F This sounds like just the thing after a tough workout – at the gym or at the mall.                  This Pedi-Relax 3 piece set includes the Intense Hydrating Cream (for dry and damaged feet), Exfoliating Cream (to keep feet feeling smooth) and Protective Barrier cream (prevents blisters and great for fitness enthusiasts). Healthbolt’s got not one but three of these pampering Pedi-Relax sets to give away. Perfect for yourself or someone on your Christmas shopping list…. All you have to do is leave a comment before 12th December 2008 on why you need one of these fabulously relaxing pedi-relax sets. This one, I’m afraid, is only open to US Residents (but international readers don’t despair –there are more worldwide giveaways coming up) The winner will be announce... Healthbolt blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2017546 Fri, 05 Dec 2008 22:00:00 +0100 2017546 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1980619&cid=t_203229_87_f&fid=34872&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.healthbolt.net%2F2008%2F11%2F21%2Falamosa-colorado-water-water-everywhere-but-not-a-drop-worth-drinking%2F Did you know that this year marks the 100th year of America’s reliance on chlorine to disinfect drinking water? Jersey City, NJ was the first US city to routinely chlorinate it’s municipal drinking water, followed by Chicago’s union stockyards and many, many more cities around the country. Today, pretty much all U.S. public water systems rely on chlorine in some form for safe drinking water As a result, waterborne diseases such as cholera and typhoid are virtually eliminated. But as this guest post by the Chairman of Water Quality & Health Council highlights, there are always cracks in the system… The Waterborne Outbreak in Alamosa, Colorado by Chris Wiant, M.P.H, Ph.D. This year is the 100th anniversary of the first use of chlorination to help ensure safe drinking water suppli... Healthbolt blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1980619 Fri, 21 Nov 2008 19:01:00 +0100 1980619 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1829116&cid=t_203229_87_f&fid=34872&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.healthbolt.net%2F2008%2F09%2F25%2Fhow-many-chemicals-are-in-your-body%2F How many chemicals do you think are in your body and do you really want to know? I’m not sure I’d want to know. Sometimes I feel that ignorance is bliss. Nena Baker obviously doesn’t live by this philosophy. She got her blood tested and found out she’s positive for more than three dozen substances—including DDT which was supposedly banned over 35 years ago. Nena wrote about why she got herself tested and what she did with this information in her book “The Body Toxic: How the Hazardous Chemistry of Everyday Things Threatens Our Health and Well-Being.” I haven’t had a chance to read her book, but apparently it’s an eye opening account of why we need to question the safety of everything we use to store food in, drink from, walk on, wear, drive... Healthbolt blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1829116 Thu, 25 Sep 2008 11:21:44 +0100 1829116 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1825568&cid=t_203229_87_f&fid=34872&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.healthbolt.net%2F2008%2F09%2F23%2Fb5media-salutes-national-alcohol-and-drug-addiction-recovery-month%2F September is National Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recover Month and in recognition of this, the bloggers at b5Media’s Health and Wellness Channel have put together their interpretation of the 12 Steps, looking at each step not just from it’s orginal intent but also in relation to their own blog topic. The result is an interesting and informative group of posting that provides ‘food for thought’ in own lives. We’ve all heard of the 12 Step Program, but most of us won’t be able to recite what each step was. That’s because we are lucky enough not to need to. But for thousands of people around the world, the 12 steps is their world. Mark over at A Dozen Steps lists the 12 Steps  that he believes are designed to bring the person who practices them to ... Healthbolt blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1825568 Tue, 23 Sep 2008 11:21:58 +0100 1825568 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1812691&cid=t_203229_87_f&fid=34872&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.healthbolt.net%2F2008%2F09%2F21%2Fpalm-reading-as-a-diagnostic-tool-for-cancer%2F Sounds a little far fetched but doctors at the Royal Free Hospital in London recently diagnosed a case of ovarian cancer in a 74-year-old woman after she presented with thickened skin on her palms. According to the medical team, this thickening, known as palmar fascitis, could be linked to cancer and further tests revealed an ovarian mass that, happily, was successfully treated with chemotherapy. Turns out the patient was suffering from a phenomenon called paraneoplastic syndrome. This is where the symptoms displayed, such as palmar fascitis, arthritis, or even nerve problems, seem unrelated to cancer but are a direct result of chemicals secreted by the cancerous tumour. Rare but true… (source) Share This (Source: Healthbolt) Healthbolt blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1812691 Sun, 21 Sep 2008 23:32:41 +0100 1812691 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1535718&cid=t_203229_87_f&fid=34872&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.healthbolt.net%2F2008%2F06%2F21%2Fchuck-that-giant-handbag-for-lower-blood-pressure%2F Easy Health Tip of the Day: Give your massive handbag the ‘ol heave-ho to lower blood pressure. Why? Because wearing a heavy bag compresses the veins in your shoulders and increases your BP in as little as 10 minutes! So imagine the kind of damage you could be doing during an all-day shopping marathon. Aye Chihuahua! The fix? A lighter bag (duh) or one with a strap over two inches wide to help distribute the bag’s weight more evenly. A clutch or backpack would work, too. Image: eluxury.com Tags: High Blood Pressure, Large Handbags, Lower Blood PressureShare This (Source: Healthbolt) Healthbolt blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1535718 Sat, 21 Jun 2008 15:54:47 +0100 1535718 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1497416&cid=t_203229_87_f&fid=34872&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.healthbolt.net%2F2008%2F06%2F05%2F4-good-reasons-to-love-lovin%2F What does love do for you, other than make you googly-eyed and smiley? Plenty. Image details: Love spelt in silver letters served by picapp.com As I prepare to celebrate my 10th wedding anniversary tomorrow, I was thrilled to come across a small article listing 4 fabulous “side-effects” to being in a loving relationship. 1) Lower stress hormones 2) More physical activity (of all kinds, ahem) 3) Less likely to smoke 4) Decrease in blood pressure Wow! Seems not only does love affect your emotional heart, it’s great for your physical ticker as well. Sounds like I have lots to celebrate! Grab your honey and celebrate being in love along with me, won’t you? Tags: Being in Love, Health Benefits of Love, Healthbolt, Heart Health, LoveShare This (Source: Healthbolt) Healthbolt blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1497416 Fri, 06 Jun 2008 02:47:22 +0100 1497416 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1442802&cid=t_203229_87_f&fid=34872&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.healthbolt.net%2F2008%2F05%2F13%2Fblood-pressure-problems-put-down-that-energy-drink%2F Image details: Arm with blood pressure cuff ‘ Color served by picapp.com Love the buzz of a Red Bull or Rock Star? If you have high blood pressure, you may want to fall out of love…quickly! A study by Wayne State University in Michigan which was recently presented at the American Heart Association found that the blood pressure and heart rates of healthy adults increased after they downed 2 cans of energy drinks a day. Most of these drinks, of course, are packed to the gills with caffeine and taurine, an amino acid which can adversely affect the heart. The important thing to note about this study is that it was done with healthy adults. And though the study subjects did not see dangerous levels of bp and heart rate increases, the increase that was seen could potentially be enou... Healthbolt blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1442802 Wed, 14 May 2008 02:17:23 +0100 1442802 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1236936&cid=t_203229_87_f&fid=34872&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.healthbolt.net%2F2008%2F02%2F16%2Fsexbolt-saturday-even-more-great-reasons-to-hit-the-sheets%2F Happy Saturday, All! If a boring weekend looms ahead, chuck your Honey-Do list in exchange for a healthy romp (or three). Because our bodies, God bless them, need The Big O to keep them healthy and strong. How’s that for a reason to get funky? Here’s the scoop: Say good-bye to expensive skin and hair care regimens - ramped-up production of hormones courtesy of The All-Mighty Orgasm contribute to shiny hair and smooth skin. Orgasms even prevent frown lines from deepening! Forget the Prozac - orgasms release endorphins (feel-good hormones) into our brains and instantly make us feel calmer and less-stressed. Those same endorphins stimulate our immune systems, heading off illnesses. See ya, Zicam! Tylenol who? Orgasms pump natural painkillers into our bloodstreams, heading off mil... Healthbolt blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1236936 Sat, 16 Feb 2008 17:07:58 +0100 1236936 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1189990&cid=t_203229_87_f&fid=34872&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.healthbolt.net%2F2008%2F01%2F30%2Fthe-midlife-crisis-it-aint-just-for-americans-anymore%2F Photo Credit Got a major hankering for a new sports car lately? How about a bood job or Botox injections? Well, you know what? You’re not alone. While cars and cosmetic surgery may be unique to Western cultures, Midlife Crises are not. Nope, we share the same feelings of misery during our middle years as our world-wide brethren. Swell. A recent study surveying 2 million people across 80 countries shows the same “U-shaped” phenomenon of life satisfaction across the board. Meaning, we start out happy and encouraged in our early years, eventually sink into despair during our middle years, and if we’re healthy, trend back up in our later years. In theory, the confidence and enjoyment of the later years comes from accepting the fact that we’ll never be Mr. Olympia ... Healthbolt blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1189990 Thu, 31 Jan 2008 02:48:00 +0100 1189990 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1142604&cid=t_203229_87_f&fid=35747&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhealthaffairs.org%2Fblog%2F2008%2F01%2F10%2Fus-worst-at-beating-death-from-preventable-illness%2F In a comparison of 18 countries, the United States ranked at the bottom for number of deaths that could have been prevented by timely and effective health care. Not only were U.S. rates among the worst, the rate of improvement from 1997-98 to 2002-03 was the smallest. Ellen Nolte and Martin McKee, of the London School [...] (Source: Health Affairs Blog) Health Affairs Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1142604 Thu, 10 Jan 2008 15:52:28 +0100 1142604 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=806923&cid=t_203229_87_f&fid=34872&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.healthbolt.net%2F2007%2F08%2F18%2Fbringing-dirty-back%2F The nascent antibacterial sector of the cleansing market is an avalanche of silly. Antibacterial soaps and wipes were one thing, but antibacterial air freshener? (For air that’s let itself go.) And antibacterial pocket pens? Antibacterial Q-tips? I want, I need! Antibacterial lip gloss? Pucker up! And to finish off the cosmetic safety, an antibacterial eyelash curler. These things were scary to begin with! Enough! A good friend of mine works in a specialized burn unit and routinely rises at 3 a.m. in order to participate in some of the most risky surgeries imaginable. After six hours of working in ninety-one degree heat and wading around in various human bits, she takes what can only be described as a veritable swim in antibacterial gel. Exciting as the offerings of the hos... Healthbolt blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=806923 Sat, 18 Aug 2007 18:13:51 +0100 806923 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=738970&cid=t_203229_136_f&fid=35300&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmetastaticlivercancer.org%2F2007-07-17-cancer-treatment%2Ffree-e-book-who-can-help-me-when-i-have-cancer%2F I strongly believe that you are what you eat. If every day you rush rush, grab some fast-food…, then your body will most likely rush rush it’s way to the grave… We all know that in the big city: we don’t have the time nor the space to grow organic food and vegetables. So the next [...] (Source: Metastatic liver cancer) Metastatic liver cancer blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=738970 Tue, 17 Jul 2007 05:20:05 +0100 738970 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=620504&cid=t_203229_136_f&fid=35300&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmetastaticlivercancer.org%2F2007-05-16-cancer-treatment%2Fwhen-you-love-you-care%2F Why aren’t decision makers eradicating cancer? Because they don’t love people therefore don’t care. Let me tell you my cancer experience so far: Years ago my very best neighbour and friend died of lung cancer, yet it didn’t affect me much: people die don’t they? Father died of metastatic liver cancer and that had a huge impact [...] (Source: Metastatic liver cancer) Metastatic liver cancer blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=620504 Wed, 16 May 2007 02:21:53 +0100 620504 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=620510&cid=t_203229_136_f&fid=35300&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmetastaticlivercancer.org%2F2007-05-11-cancer-treatment%2Ffathers-legacy%2F We are happy to announce that Jane Chin made a donation in fathers’ name to a charity that uses art to help heal women and children who are victims of domestic violence. At the beginning of father’s metastatic liver cancer, he came in tough with Colleen who also does a lot for charity and cancer. Donations [...] (Source: Metastatic liver cancer) Metastatic liver cancer blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=620510 Fri, 11 May 2007 08:21:16 +0100 620510 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=577753&cid=t_203229_136_f&fid=35300&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmetastaticlivercancer.org%2F2007-04-30-cancer-treatment%2Fdark-skin-girl%2F Yesterday I watched the cancer story of a little Chinese girl suffering from skin cancer. The documentary is called "the girl who lives in the dark" and is told from the point of view of the skin cancer doctor. In my opinion a very over-optimistic view about modern an over-optimistic show about advanced surgical techniques [...] (Source: Metastatic liver cancer) Metastatic liver cancer blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=577753 Mon, 30 Apr 2007 04:15:53 +0100 577753 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=565890&cid=t_203229_136_f&fid=35300&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmetastaticlivercancer.org%2F2007-04-24-cancer-treatment%2Ftroubled-teens-wilderness-programs%2F The Virginia tech story learns us parents that normal ways of education can always use a helping hand. In Europe, we would go at least 2 times on a health care sponsored travel and expedition holiday. You can do the same in the US: WildernessProgramsEtc.com offers a directory of wilderness programs in all American states. [...] (Source: Metastatic liver cancer) Metastatic liver cancer blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=565890 Tue, 24 Apr 2007 03:03:41 +0100 565890 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=515999&cid=t_203229_136_f&fid=35300&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmetastaticlivercancer.org%2F2007-04-02-cancer-treatment%2Fcancer-newsweek-cover%2F After my recent post about Elizabeth Edwards and cancer (Edwards campaigning for cancer), cancer gets the cover of Newsweek. Isn’t that great? Great in the sense that at least the word about cancer gets spread, of course with some misleading statistics, yet Newsweek also needs to survive and not kick to many people in the [...] (Source: Metastatic liver cancer) Metastatic liver cancer blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=515999 Mon, 02 Apr 2007 05:13:47 +0100 515999 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=495966&cid=t_203229_136_f&fid=35300&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmetastaticlivercancer.org%2F2007-03-21-cancer-treatment%2Fwhy-is-cancer-still-around%2F Ever wondered why there is so little to be found about caner prevention? Ever wondered why chemotherapy is allowed (read: poison your patient until he almost dies, since he would have died from the cancer anyway…), but stem-cell research is not allowed in order to cure cancer? because cancer is big business for the drug [...] (Source: Metastatic liver cancer) Metastatic liver cancer blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=495966 Wed, 21 Mar 2007 01:35:17 +0100 495966 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=480006&cid=t_203229_87_f&fid=34946&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffixinghealth.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F02%2Ftransformation-of-healthcare-try-it.html Most large companies are self-insured. This gives them incentive and flexibility to initiate activities intended to decrease health care cost and improve health status. Many companies are achieving early success by designing health programs based upon prevention and disease management.Two years ago the supermarket company, Safeway, Inc., recognized that 50 to 60 percent of health care costs are driven by behavior. They decided to design and implement a health care plan that rewards good behavior. The Safeway plan brings together most of the best practices for encouraging employees to pursue healthy behavior. Health coverage costs for employees enrolled in the new plan fell 11 percent in the first year of operation (2006).Unions have resisted health plans with cost-sharing features but the ... Fixin' Healthcare blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=480006 Wed, 14 Feb 2007 02:30:00 +0100 480006 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=480007&cid=t_203229_87_f&fid=34946&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffixinghealth.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F02%2Ftransformation-of-healthcare-follow.html Political expediency and short-term solutions for critical problems are expensive. But, more than the expense is the danger that optimal solutions may become unreachable. Cultures have failed and disappeared because they could not accept or recognize optimal solutions to critical problems.For example, growing corn to produce ethanol for fuel may be a good idea for small midwestern towns but it remains to be seen if that will be good for the country. There is no conceivable way ethanol is more than a stop-gap measure for energy. Meanwhile, people are not prepared for the measures that need to be considered.Can the federal government be expected to provide a solution for health care. There are some good programs supported by the federal government but grid lock has set in for anything other ... Fixin' Healthcare blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=480007 Tue, 13 Feb 2007 00:47:00 +0100 480007 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=480008&cid=t_203229_87_f&fid=34946&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffixinghealth.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F02%2Ftransformation-of-healthcare-beware.html The New York Times today reported an amazing transformation that contradicts conventional wisdom and demonstrates the power of small changes in human behavior involving the entire community. Funny how transformations are like that more often than not.Niger is in a part of Africa viewed as barren wasteland decaying into desert. The trees were disappearing, the wind was blowing away the topsoil, sand dunes were encroaching and wells ran dry.Facing those conditions, the farmers took a small but radical step. They ceased clearing the saplings from their fields before planting. Plowing and planting of crops took care to protect and nurture the saplings. These were simple methods that cost little or nothing.Now, millions of trees are flourishing largely without relying upon the large-scale plant... Fixin' Healthcare blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=480008 Sun, 11 Feb 2007 21:41:00 +0100 480008 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=480009&cid=t_203229_87_f&fid=34946&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffixinghealth.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F02%2Ftransformation-of-healthcare-your.html A recent poll of 39,000 patients and 335 primary care physicians was conducted by Consumer Reports National Research Center. The patients were composed of subscribers to Consumer Reports magazine and the physicians came from a random sample drawn from a national list of doctors.Most patients think their doctors treat them respectfully, listen to them patiently and care about their emotional well-being. However, there are some complaints from both sides and the survey confirms that miscommunication is common for patient and physician.Comes the telling part, "nearly 80 percent of doctors reported being urged by patients to prescribe medications they saw advertised in TV ads". Who says medicine isn't a business and the business is sickness? Marketing and advertising may identify "presumed" so... Fixin' Healthcare blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=480009 Sat, 10 Feb 2007 20:04:00 +0100 480009 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=480010&cid=t_203229_87_f&fid=34946&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffixinghealth.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F02%2Ftransformation-of-healthcare-somewhere.html Transforming health care involves the creation of a system to achieve and maintain optimum health status for every individual and the community. The three primary elements of the system are health and safety promotion; risk management and prevention of disease and injury; rehabilitation. Furthermore, this system must be developed while retaining and refining the capability of medical care to diagnose and treat people who suffer with illness, disease and injury.This task can be initiated by converting the medical record to a health record. The health record would be based upon identification and management of health risk with provision for identifying and managing health problems. Informing and educating would be another function of the health record applied to consumers and health professi... Fixin' Healthcare blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=480010 Tue, 06 Feb 2007 00:44:00 +0100 480010 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=480011&cid=t_203229_87_f&fid=34946&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffixinghealth.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F01%2Ftransformation-of-healthcare-to.html Society struggles to maintain the integrity of complex systems while adjusting to changing conditions and shifting needs. Change agents may be aware of the debate over reformation vs. transformation (upper limit hypothesis) but in the heat of battle the objective is to create change. There are always forces that serve to moderate change.When any system reaches a point of diminishing returns, alternate processes become attractive. Alternate processes may be adjustments to the existing system (reformation) or an entirely new approach (transformation). It is conceivable for transformation to reform and maintain an existing system in a more productive mode.Reformation of health care is a constant process but the adjustments have not altered the basic course or momentum of the system. And, for ... Fixin' Healthcare blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=480011 Wed, 31 Jan 2007 00:14:00 +0100 480011 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=480013&cid=t_203229_87_f&fid=34946&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffixinghealth.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F01%2Ftransformation-of-healthcare-listening.html Community based groups are better than medical providers at disseminating health information, promoting health and advocating prevention among immigrants. True enough, but this concept applies to everyone, not just immigrants.The task is to identify the most credible community based groups and the most effective way for them to provide the most appropriate information. In other words, this is an important and complex issue that goes beyond who delivers information and where it is delivered.Health promotion and prevention have suffered from an inability to make the core messages interesting, meaningful and effective. Call it marketing, if you will, and all evidence indicates that mass marketing is becoming more segmented.Health communication is front and center and much more needs to be kno... Fixin' Healthcare blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=480013 Tue, 30 Jan 2007 00:22:00 +0100 480013 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=480014&cid=t_203229_87_f&fid=34946&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffixinghealth.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F01%2Ftransformation-of-healthcare-once-and.html Prevention is not a pipe dream. Solid data and pilot projects exist to demonstrate the effectiveness of prevention for individuals and groups. Healthy People 2010, an extension of Healthy People 2000, is a national benchmark that has been slow to take flight. Its value is that it is there and serves as a guide for local programs and other pilot projects. Take a look at CardioVision 2020, Healthy South Carolina and the Greater Greenville Shrinkdown.Significant change on a large scale takes time and sustained effort. Much more is ongoing than meets the eye. Partly, this is due to the massive scale and the attention given to the problems of medical care. It was well-put that prevention is still waiting for its Massachusetts moment.Prevention is the step-sister of medical care. But, like Cinde... Fixin' Healthcare blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=480014 Wed, 24 Jan 2007 11:10:00 +0100 480014 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=480015&cid=t_203229_87_f&fid=34946&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffixinghealth.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F01%2Ftransformation-of-healthcare-think-it.html Do you believe in magic? Well, maybe not magic exactly but what about wishful thinking? Wishful thinking and fantasy are common threads in a culture and they sustain individuals in some important ways. Lucky charms; true, true and (un)related; faith in an outcome unseen. Positive outlook and optimism depend upon faith and wishful thinking to some extent.Optimism tends to be self-fulfilling. Optimistic people generally have better health and live longer. On the other hand, high expectations carry greater risk for disappointment. But, if expectations are always low, achievements and outcomes are limited."The harder I work, the luckier I get".Technorati Tags: Lifestyle, Health, Prevention (Source: Fixin' Healthcare) Fixin' Healthcare blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=480015 Wed, 24 Jan 2007 03:48:00 +0100 480015 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=480016&cid=t_203229_87_f&fid=34946&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffixinghealth.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F01%2Ftransformation-of-healthcare.html Today even more than in ancient times healthcare involves mystical elements. Some might refer to this as the art of medicine and others might call it wishful thinking. Fear and expectations associated with illness, disease and injury stimulate the need for mystical elements. The human spirit needs hope to generate the inspiration and motivation that are essential for good health. However, it is best to remember that expectations have many sharp edges.The "medicine man" and "witch doctor" knew a lot about fear and expectations. They often made good use of knowledge about culture and human nature to create desired objectives. Priests and ministers have their methods for dealing with fear and expectations. But, science and technology in the 20th Century have elevated expectations to new heigh... Fixin' Healthcare blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=480016 Tue, 23 Jan 2007 00:25:00 +0100 480016 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=480017&cid=t_203229_87_f&fid=34946&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffixinghealth.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F01%2Ftransformation-of-healthcare-goals.html The Director of the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), Carolyn M. Clancy, M.D., spoke on September 27, 2006 to the Symposium on Remaking American Medicine. Her remarks noted a close relationship between the themes of Remaking American Medicine and the mission of AHRQ to improve quality, safety, efficiency and effectiveness of health care.The four themes are:Involving patients and their families in their own care is a key element to improving health care quality.Encouraging health care providers to collaborate and learn from each other how to improve the quality of health care, fostering transparency and inspiring creative solutions.Encouraging partnerships between patients and providers in designing quality health care solutions to help ensure more efficient and effective d... Fixin' Healthcare blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=480017 Sun, 21 Jan 2007 02:21:00 +0100 480017 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=480018&cid=t_203229_87_f&fid=34946&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffixinghealth.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F01%2Ftransformation-of-healthcare-mirror.html The chorus calling for change in the healthcare system is so loud that it seems like one voice. On closer inspection, however, there is revealed to be many issues and many advocates divided among the issues. Among the advocates there is sympathy for all the issues but no common agreement for establishing priorities.Policy makers have approached healthcare reform in a piecemeal fashion. Financial adjustments intended to save money have been unpopular and generally unsuccessful. Actions that influence certain aspects of health care delivery, such as the Medicare drug benefit, are popular but it remains to be seen if there is a corresponding improvement in health status.Compassion and politics are directing many of the proposed healthcare reforms. Universal, single payor health insurance shou... Fixin' Healthcare blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=480018 Mon, 15 Jan 2007 00:03:00 +0100 480018 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=480019&cid=t_203229_87_f&fid=34946&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffixinghealth.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F01%2Flifestyle-chronicles-one-size-fits-all.html It is true that diagnostic tools are available that can detect disease at the early, asymptomatic stage. There is much to be learned about the natural course of diseases detected at earlier stages but the logical assumption is that early detection increases the effectiveness of prevention.The other side of the coin is that tests for early detection involve cost and some are quite expensive. If multiple tests are utilized, the expense can be high. Then, there is the problem of false positive and false negative results.Centers have been established to utilize these technologies but they are not ready for prime time. Unless the information serves as motivation to practice prevention or a way to measure progress or to determine whether to utilize specialized therapeutic procedures, the energy,... Fixin' Healthcare blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=480019 Wed, 10 Jan 2007 17:28:00 +0100 480019 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=480022&cid=t_203229_87_f&fid=34946&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffixinghealth.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F01%2Flifestyle-chronicles-transformation-of.html There is entirely too much energy and resources wasted fixing blame when the only purpose served is punishment. When punishment is the objective, the systematic nature of problems are not well understood and the reponses are not solutions. There is no purpose served fixing blame in the US healthcare system when it has reached a state where just about everyone is a victim.The US healthcare system is a misnomer. It is multiple systems and systems within systems. There was no intelligent design. It is generous to call it a system. If anything, it is an example of accelerated evolution with rapid mutations. Arguably, emotion prevails more than logic and misdirected business interests are more common than anyone cares to admit. Attempts at reform end up so far off target that no one wants to cl... Fixin' Healthcare blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=480022 Wed, 10 Jan 2007 00:52:00 +0100 480022 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=480021&cid=t_203229_87_f&fid=34946&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffixinghealth.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F01%2Flifestyle-chronicles-prolonging-lifes.html What were the circumstances that resulted in the prescribing of an antidepressant for you?My mother died and I had difficulty dealing with the loss.I see, when did that happen?Ten years ago.And, you have been on the medication since that time?Yes.*******You have been taking a medication for heartburn for several years. Does it provide relief?Yes.Does the heartburn reoccur?Whenever I stop taking the medication.And, you are about 75 pounds overweight. What happens when you stop eating junk food, start eating more vegetables and fruit, walk 30 minutes each day and lose weight?The heartburn goes away.Do you continue to need the medication.No.*******The Democrats are concerned about prices of drugs and want the government to negotiate lower prices for Medicare beneficiaries, but not which drugs... Fixin' Healthcare blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=480021 Mon, 08 Jan 2007 04:03:00 +0100 480021 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=480020&cid=t_203229_87_f&fid=34946&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffixinghealth.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F01%2Flifestyle-chronicles-leap-and-learn.html Namaste Charter School in Chicago is commited to the physical, social and academic well-being of their students. They believe that academic achievement is dependent upon regular physical activity and good health. The school incorporates physical activity and nutrition into its rigorous curriculum. Parents receive training in nutrition and have access to a weekly farmers market set up in the school. The principal of Namaste is an alumna of Teach for America.A report from the American College of Sports Medicine shows the most physically active middle school students more often have better grades. The link between physical activity and academic performance was most significant when children met Healthy People 2010 guidelines for vigorous activity 20 minutes at least three days a week.Changing... Fixin' Healthcare blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=480020 Sun, 07 Jan 2007 23:42:00 +0100 480020 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=480024&cid=t_203229_87_f&fid=34946&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffixinghealth.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F01%2Flifestyle-chronicles-of-mice-and-men.html Neil Postman in his book, "Amusing Ourselves To Death", describes modern culture as constant entertainment. It is a culture distracted by triva where social interaction has given way to private preserve. Public conversations are sound bytes. Information is out of context and often with inappropriate association. Technology is revered as a simple means for fast solutions to problems.Technology is a machine and a process. Technology creates an intellectual and social environment influencing human behavior. For Postman, television is the dominant technology that has created modern culture.Within this culture and over a short period of time, technology has created medical care and oriented society to illness and disease. Medical care has become a metaphor for health.But, now, what is health? M... Fixin' Healthcare blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=480024 Fri, 05 Jan 2007 16:27:00 +0100 480024 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=480023&cid=t_203229_87_f&fid=34946&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffixinghealth.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F01%2Flifestyle-chronicles-learn-and-live.html What is the most consistent basis for a long life?"The one social factor linked to longer lives in every country where it has been studied is education. It is more important than race; it obliterates any effects of income.And, health economists say, those factors that are popularly believed to be crucial - money and health insurance, for example, pale in comparison.Giving people more Social Security income, or less for that matter, will not really affect people's health. It is a good thing to do for other reasons but not for health.Health insurance, too, is vastly overrated in the policy debate.A few extra years of school is associated with extra years of life and vastly improved health decades later, in old age."Tags: Technorati Lifestyles, Health, Prevention (Source: Fixin' Healthcare) Fixin' Healthcare blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=480023 Fri, 05 Jan 2007 03:54:00 +0100 480023 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=480025&cid=t_203229_87_f&fid=34946&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffixinghealth.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F01%2Flifestyle-chronicles-join-your.html Does the health care system contribute to poor health?That question has troubled me for over 30 years. Initially, my concern centered upon errors of comission and omission. The incorrect diagnosis, the drug reaction, the complication from surgery, inappropriate therapy, incorrect triage. Mistakes that are the nightmares of healthcare providers.On the other hand, the limits of capability, experience and knowledge are reached all too soon. There is more to know than is known. One of the prices to be paid is the current limitation upon the science and the art of health care. This is reality and the challenge is to determine where and how to push the frontier to improve health status.During my lifetime health care has been transformed into medical care. And, medical care has become a business.... Fixin' Healthcare blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=480025 Thu, 04 Jan 2007 03:55:00 +0100 480025 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=480026&cid=t_203229_87_f&fid=34946&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffixinghealth.blogspot.com%2F2006%2F12%2Flifestyle-chronicles-trying-to-do-good.html The Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) is trying to do good by establishing quality standards and protocols for medical care. Although their effort is not getting the expected results, the issue may be a turning point that could transform health care. Transforming health care is likely to be more productive than reforming medical care. The predominant form of medical care in America is the diagnosis, treatment and follow-up care of individual patients with illness and disease. The increasing capability of the medical care system has been matched by an increasing incidence of chronic diseases, which are not cured by treatment. It is a situation characterized by greater inputs yielding diminishing returns. The CMS project has inadvertently demonstrated that point. A recent repor... Fixin' Healthcare blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=480026 Wed, 20 Dec 2006 02:18:00 +0100 480026 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=480027&cid=t_203229_87_f&fid=34946&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffixinghealth.blogspot.com%2F2006%2F12%2Flifestyle-chronicles-process-and.html The quality measurement and health assessment group at the Center for Medicare Medicaid Services (CMS) has selected 22 quality measures to evaluate and rank hospitals. A study of hospitalizations during 2004 involving heart attacks, heart failure and pneumonia presents an intriguing view of this methodology. Moreover, these results suggest that health care functions differently from the extrapolated projections of clinical trials.The difference in deaths associated with heart attacks over the one-year period was 0.5 percent less in the highest ranked compared to the lowest ranked hospitals. The difference in deaths due to heart failure between the best and the worst hospitals was 0.1 percent. The death rate from pneumonia was 0.5 percent higher at low-rated hospitals.These are not the expe... Fixin' Healthcare blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=480027 Thu, 14 Dec 2006 03:21:00 +0100 480027